Wichita eagle., 1887-05-24
WAR IN AFRICA.
City Council Agree On War but
Hesitate as to Proper
Method Of Attack.
A Spat Between Two Legal Lights
The Sewer Question Assumes
Shady Hue-A Busy
Session.

There was an unusually large attendance OF
spectators. 1t seemed from the beginning
that some important business was likely TO
command attention. Some seemed to be
surprised at the small attendance OF railroad
committee. 1t was feared that that fact
| would give that class of business the dead
| lock for the meeting. Before the mace fell
some were heard to roar loud fearing that
some of the ordinances they were interested
| in would not be acted upon. Itwas rumored
that a new scheme of dimensions would
m axes it's debut and maybe create "fervor'
of excitement The newspaper fraternity
smiled, hoping that something would happen
to change the monotony of events at sucn
meetings. Many were heard to favor less
oratory on the part of some members OF the
board and a little inclination to take hold OF
business. 1t was thought that less Grating
would enable all to get home before the
| keystone hour.
Mr.. Derby, acting chairman of public I'M
provemsnt committee, reported some OF the
streets in deplorable condition. He thought
| the city ought to employ twenty-five more
men to work on streets. He moved
that street commissioner be empowered to
employ that many men for cleaning the
streets. Motion carried.
Mr.. Harris called the attention OF the
street commissioner to the standing water on
Waco avenue. He suggested that the street
be drained.
| Mr.. johnson moved that crossing be put
| .oolyo bQ
north Of Douglas avenue. Carried.
| Mr.. Brown, as chairman of sewerage COM
mittee submitted petition signed by Messrs.
Rouse and Blackwelder, stating that they IN
tended to erect on the corner of First and
| Market streets a five story building and ask
ed the council to extend sewer from their
building to the Topeka avenue sewer. 1t was
moved to refer the matter to the sewerage
committee.
The city attorney stated that he was very
sure the city council could not issue bonds
for sewerage by districts. He thought bonds
could be issued by the whole city. He stated
that city attorneys of cities of the first class
were going to meet at Topeka Wednesday
next for the purpose of discussing the law
relating to issuing bonds for sewerage.
The motion carried.
1t was decided to pay the city attorneys
expenses to Topeka to attend the meeting OF
city attorneys of the cities Of the first class.
An ordinance was passed repeating the or
dinance dividing the city into sewer districts.
Mr. Brown reported some trouble in secur-
ing right of way for sewer on Topeka avenue.
Mr.. Brown moved that the street force be in
structed to cover thing on Topeka avenue
and fill up the old ditch on Lawrence avenue.
Motion prevailed.
Mr.. johnson, chairman Of gas committee,
reported favorably on ordinance formerly
submitted by the Wichita Mining and In
vestment company, asking exclusive right to
supply city with natural gas
When the ordinance had been read the city
att orney stated that he doubted very much
if the council could grant the exclusive right
to any company.
| Mr.. Kenyon did not favor granting exclu-
sive right. Mr.. johnson favored exclusive
right. Mr.. English stated that at first he
did not favor granting exclusive right, but
after considering the question thought they
ought to be given some inducement for
their work. Mr.. Derby spoke for an
exclusive franchise. The ordinance provides
that the company heat and light city offices
without any charge The ordinance was
placed on its passage and the vote on the
third section was called. Buckric5e, Stone
and Kenyon voted in the negative. The
section referred to the company taking hold
of the city when gas was secured in paying
quantities" The ordinance passed, with all
voting in the affirmative excepting Mr..
Buckridge. Mr.. Knapp of Fort Scott, ad-
dressed the council and stated something of
the workings of the natural gas company in
his city. He said the well here was very
| favorable SO far II the scheme was a
| advertisement for the city. He
predicted for the city a continued bright
future if natural gas was secured.
| Mr.. English chairman Of health committee
said he had ''smelt good deal and the more
he smelt the more he found. He reported
several places in a very bad condition. In
reference to the Lewis dam he said he would
favor the oity giving $4,000 rather then not
have it removed. He favored Offering Mr..
Lewis S., 600 for the dam and if he did not
take it he would favor the city removing it
and then let Mr.. Lewis come back at the
council.
| Mr. Derby stated he would not serve on
another committee and wanted nothing more
to do with the dam question"
Mr. English stated if committee unwilling
| dam.
The bitches were ordered cleaned out on
Main street, between Douglas avenue and
Williams
Mr. Harris.-I want to say something
about the city giving my ward public i'm
provements. 1t was some time ago the gas
works; now the crematory. Who ever
heard OF such thing in the heart of a city
Don't accuse it of being put up job.
Would ike for someone voting in the affirm
atiye to move reconsideration.
Mr. Kenyon moved a reconsideration with
Harris second
City attorney stated that contract had
been made and the other party would have
done.
Mr.. English seemed to favor the plan al
ready adopted
Mr.. Kenyon stated that something ought
to be done. II ii was out of order some meas
ure ought to be introduced that would be